Harambee Stars midfielders Duke Abuya and Austin Odhiambo during training/HANDOUT Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy says he has blended international experience with emerging talent in his provisional squad for Kenya’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea.
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“We have selected a highly dynamic squad that blends proven international experience with hungry young talent who are eager to make their mark,” McCarthy said.
Kenya host Eritrea on September 26 at Nyayo Stadium before travelling to Conakry to face Guinea on October 1 at the Stade du 28 Septembre.
McCarthy believes home advantage will be important before Kenya face the added demands of travel and conditions in Guinea.
“Starting our qualification journey at home gives us a vital advantage, but we must immediately turn our focus to the gruelling travel and climate in Conakry,” he said.
Kenya are drawn alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea in Group D. Despite already having an automatic place at the 2027 tournament as co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania, McCarthy says Stars will approach the qualifiers seriously.
“Being co-hosts does not give us a free pass to relax; every single match in Group D will be approached with high intensity and maximum concentration,” he said.
Captain Michael Olunga and defender Joseph Okumu return after lengthy injury layoffs, providing experience at both ends of the pitch.
“Having leadership pillars like Olunga and Okumu back in full training elevates the squad’s confidence and technical execution significantly,” McCarthy said.
The squad includes five goalkeepers, 17 defenders, 10 midfielders and 11 attackers.
Among the foreign-based players are Okumu and Manzur Okwaro of Stade Reims, Zak Vyner of Wrexham, Timothy Ouma of Charlton Athletic, Aldrine Kibet of Celta Vigo and Olunga of Al-Arabi.
Local preparations begin immediately in Nairobi, with foreign-based players expected to join camp after completing their club commitments.
McCarthy has set a clear target for the opening international window.
“Our goal for this international window is non-negotiable: we want maximum points to establish absolute authority early in the group,” he said.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Tusker), Caleb Kramer (ADO Den Haag).
Defenders: Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Manzur Okwaro (Stade Reims), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Daniel Ayembe (Viborg FF), Deon Woodman (Bromley), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Abud Omar (Tusker), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibagwe (Gor Mahia), Paul Ochuoga (Gor Mahia), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus).
Midfielders: Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Timothy Ouma (Charlton Athletic), Zech Obiero (Leyton Orient), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), Will Lenkupae (Tulsa), Kevin Wangaya (Nairobi United), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Austin Odhiambo (Unattached).
Attackers: Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Louis Millard (Swindon Town), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Micah Obiero (Wealdstone), Ryan Ogam (RFC Luttich), Javan Ochieng (Hickory), Sharif Musa (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Okoth (Bandari), Mohammed Bajaber (Unattached).
